Episode 212: Deathbed Confessions: Diane Crawford Smith

Once Upon A Crime | True Crime

Esther Ludlow

True Crime, Crime, Truecrime, Criminology, History, Criminals

4.6 • 5K Ratings

🗓️ 26 July 2021

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In 1967, a double murder shocked a small town in Virginia. A suspect was quickly rounded up, but the case wasn’t truly resolved until decades later when a chance encounter led to a series of events that would ultimately bring about a deathbed confession. Resources: “Thomas Free on Bond; Hearing Slated Oct 27”, The News Leader, Oct 17, 1967. “Prosecution Rests in Thomas Hearing”, The News Leader, April 10, 1968. “Getting away with murder? Former cop has serious questions about why Staunton’s most infamous killer almost got away”, Lindsay Barnes for The Hook, Jan 8, 2009Sharron C. Smith, Obituary, retrieved from Legacy.com“Woman confesses to 1967 slayings”, Ashley Broughton for CNN, Jan 24, 2009. “Motive in Double Killing 42 Years Ago is Revealed”, The Associated Press, retrieved from The New York Times, Jan 24, 2009. “We just want the truth; Connie Hevener’s family wants to know why a cop allegedly hid her killer for 40 years”, Lindsay Barnes for The Hook, Feb 26, 2009. “Bound by blood? Were cop and killer father and child?”, Lindsay Barnes for The Hook, April 23, 2009. “A $200M Wrong? One-time suspect in ‘67 slayings says Staunton cops framed him”, Brad Zinn for The News Leader, Dec 23, 2010. “High’s case featured on Investigation Discovery”, Augusta Free Press, Feb 17, 2013.Sponsors: Hooked on Phonics - www.hookedonphonics.com/once to get your first month for $1 dollar. Small Town Murders - Download and play FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Links:Patreon - Join to become a Patreon member for bonus episodes, early release, ad-free episodes and more at www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime. CrimeCon UK - www.crimecon.co.uk and use my discount code ONCEUPON21 for 10% off your registration. Join the Once Upon a Crime Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1730325570622505 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This podcast details true crime cases. It contains adult themes and may contain descriptions of violence.
0:06.7	It is not intended for children. Listener discretion is advised.
0:19.2	Thank you for joining me for today's episode of Once Upon a Crime.
0:22.7	We're in the series Death Bed Confessions.
0:25.2	And I've saved the most interesting story in this series for last.
0:28.7	It's a case where just when you think the story couldn't get any stranger,
0:32.9	you find yet another odd and unbelievable detail.
0:36.7	In 1967, a double murder shocked a small town in Virginia.
0:41.2	A suspect was quickly rounded up, but the case wasn't truly resolved until decades later
0:46.7	when a chance encounter led to a series of events that would ultimately bring about a deathbed confession.
0:53.7	Come along and listen to this one-of-a-kind true crime case in our final chapter of Death Bed Confessions.
1:12.7	Staten Virginia was the epitome of small town America in the 1960s.
1:17.7	Located in the heart of the Commonwealth of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley,
1:21.7	some of Staten's now 23,000 residents are descendants of the first settlers to the area.
1:27.7	As in many small towns in America, Staten just feels like home to those born and raised here.
1:33.7	Many remain working and raising their own families where they grew up.
1:38.7	Some leave for college, jobs, or marriage, but find themselves returning to their hometown
1:43.7	that feels safe and familiar.
1:45.7	In fact, according to recent crime statistics,
1:48.7	Staten Virginia is rated safer than almost half of all U.S. cities in the United States.
1:54.7	Residents of Staten then were understandably shocked when a double homicide occurred in their town
2:00.7	on a warm spring evening in 1967.
	...

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